The Asghar family was reunited with their six-year-old son, Muhammad Shanawaaz Asghar on Thursday 18 August, after he was kidnapped by a group of armed men the previous day.
What was supposed to be a normal morning school-run turned into a scene from a horror movie.
Just before 08:00 on Wednesday, Asghar Tarar, father of three, was about to take his children to school when a group of men walked up to his front door pretending to seek shelter from the rain.
Tarar approached the men and within a few seconds they grabbed his six-year-old son and sped off in two getaway cars.
Dawood Essack, spokesperson for the family, says: “The dad was about to take his children to school. The two older children were already seated in the car, while Shanawaaz went back inside to greet his mom. The dad went inside to fetch him and the next thing there was five guys on the stoep. He asked them, ‘what are you doing here?’ They said it’s raining, and they are just coming for shelter. He immediately realised something was wrong.”
Essack explains what happened next was every parent’s worst nightmare.
“Within seconds one of them grabbed the boy and ran. As the father wanted to respond, one of them pulled out a gun and kept it to his head. The dad went into a state of shock and stood still. That’s when they got into the car and sped off.”
Essack says Tarar tried to run after them, screaming in the road and that is when the neighbours came out.
“One of the neighbours gave chase, but obviously these guys were well organised. The sad part is that the dad explained as he was giving chase, he came across a police van in the area and explained to them what happened, and they told him ‘Come and show us where it happened’.”
Essack says, later that morning, a case was opened by the Kensington Police Station.
Detectives launched a 72-hour activation plan, comprising a specialised team.
But the story had a happy ending when the Grade R learner at Hidayatul Islam Primary School was reunited with his parents and two siblings late on Thursday evening.
Police remained tight lipped about the details on where the boy was found.
Col Andrè Traut, provincial police spokesperson, says: “This office can confirm that the six-year-old Kensington boy who was kidnapped on Wednesday has been reunited with his family. Our investigation is still underway, and arrests are yet to be made. It is on this basis that further information regarding the case cannot be disclosed at this stage.”
Cheslyn Steenberg, chair of Kensington Community Policing Forum (CPF), says: “We can only thank the almighty for the safe return of Shanawaaz. I would like to thank everyone involved in this regard, it is appreciated. Now we have more work to do.”
Steenberg encouraged communities to work with police and not against them.
“Communities must do more to help community policing - working with the law enforcement agencies and not take a step back. We all have a part to play in the quest for a safer Kensington and Factreton. Let us stand up and take back our community from criminals.”
According to Essack the boy is in “good spirit”.
“He is healthy and unharmed, they took him for a medical check. He is chirpy.”
Essack, who is also a member of the Hidayatul Islam Primary School’s governing body, says they have made renewed calls on learners and parents to be safe and aware of their surroundings.
Reagan Allen, Western Cape Minister for Community Safety, says: “Kidnappings in our province are becoming quite alarming. The 4th quarter crime stats for the 2021/22 financial year shows that kidnappings increased by 8,3% or 16 more cases when compared to the same period of the previous year. Mitchell’s Plain and Gugulethu had increases of 122 and 100% respectively. Lately we’ve heard and seen about various other matters too.”
Allen says he is happy that the boy has been reunited with his family.
“I’m pleased to note that the six-year-old boy who was kidnapped from Kensington on Wednesday, has been returned to his family. The boy and family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers as they work through this traumatic experience. I’d like to thank those who played a role in the return of the boy. I should however state that it’s concerning that no arrests have been made.”
Allen adds: “Kidnappings in this province are a matter that requires urgent attention and intervention. I’m in the process of engaging various stakeholders so that these types of matters can be addressed.”
Essack says: “The family is grateful to everyone for their support and prayers and for helping to spread the awareness about their son’s disappearance. Thank you to the country who prayed for his safe return.”
